Minutes of the meeting of the Newgate Action Group

Minutes of the meeting of the
Newgate Action Group
held on Tuesday 11^th September at Newgate Lane Primary School

1. Attendees

Michele Garden (Chair)	Bentinck Street, 40
Cllr Barbara Nestor	Mansfield District Council
PC Peter Riley 1212	Mansfield Police
Inspector Sean Konsek	Mansfield Police
Peter Thom	Notts County Council Highways Dept,
Ann Norman
Ian Lilliman
David Clay
Ron Carlin
Janet Smith
Max Banks

2. Apologies

Harold Yap	Mansfield District Council
Anthony Hodge	Mansfield District Council
Rob Purser	Mansfield District Council
Cllr Malcolm Sage	Mansfield District Council
Rosemary Banks
John Pickering
Jo Comerie	Diamond Partnership, Pleasley
Cllr Chris Winterton	Mansfield District Council

3. Previous Minutes

3.1. Minutes of the meeting of 18^th July were agreed to be a true record.

4. Matters Arising

4.1. Cllr Malcolm Sage is still looking to address the problem with the property at 2 Gladstone Street. The building is heavily damaged and the owner has been contacted twice to make it safe. If the owner takes no action the Council will serve an order on the owner to make good the building.

5. Reports & Updates

5.1. Quality Street – The next meeting of Quality Street, the scheme designed to improve Newgate Lane and associated businesses, will be held at 110 Newgate Lane at 4pm on Thursday 13^th September 2001..

5.2. Traffic Issues – At the last meeting, a number of residents voiced concerns about the traffic problems on Carter Lane, particularly with the parking outside the Co-op and alongside the row of shops where car owners were parking their vehicles in a manner that obstructed the flow of traffic.
Co-op – There has been a significant problem with cars parking on the lowered section of footpath outside the Co-op when no other ‘local’ parking was available. Recently, NAG campaigned to have two extra bollards outside the shop but only one was installed, despite the ground being marked for a second one.

One resident reported that the new bollard had been knocked down and that parking on the footpath had resumed again. Peter Thom, the Highways Manager, who had been invited by NAG to the meeting to discuss these issues, stated that he would look into having the bollard replaced. He also stated that there department cannot erect stronger bollards as they have a duty to install ‘street furniture’ which would minimise damage to vehicles that may possible strike them in an accident.

STOP PRESS
4 new bollards have been erected outside the Co-op, proving NAG can make a difference

Carter Lane – The Carter Lane problem still exists, with cars parking in such a manner that they protrude into the road, hindering the flow of traffic. Residents reported that cars have now begun to park on the pavement as this problem is going unchecked, despite various officials being repeatedly told at NAG meetings.

Peter Thom agreed that it was a problem and needed addressing, however it was agreed that it was drivers, not the design of the parking area, which was the core of the problem. Residents at the meeting asked for parking bay lines to be painted to try and educate drivers to park parallel with the road. Peter Thom said he would look into having the lines painted but made the comment that his remaining budget for the next financial year was only £700.

He also said he would look into the proposition of reducing the size of the pavement outside the shops in order to increase the parking space, but stated that the approximate cost would be around £15,000. It was agreed that Paul Chad, the traffic warden manager, would be invited to comment on these issues at the next NAG meeting.

5.3. Crime & Vandalism – To talk about crime and vandalism issues, Peter Riley and Inspector Sean Konsek attended the meeting. Peter Riley informed us that he would personally be looking into the policing problem in the renewal area.

Youth Offenders - Michelle asked Inspector Konsek about the possible use of offenders sentenced to community service to help tackle vandalism and graffiti. Inspector Konsek responded by saying that when a court sentences an individual to community service, it is the court who decides what manner of work will be carried out.

He said that if there is a local need for this type of work, there is a forum through which representation can be made to the magistrates clerks department. However, it must be stressed that even if the courts do decide to apply community service orders to the renewal area, the significant lack of supervisors for offenders may result in them being sent home.

Representation to the magistrates clerks department can be made via Steve Lorraine at the Council’s environmental department.

Bogus Callers - Michelle asked Inspector Konsek about the availability of stickers to warn of bogus callers. These stickers are affixed to the inside of the door and alert the homeowner to put on the safety chain (if fitted) and be cautious when opening the door to strangers. He said that these should be available from Alan Booth, the local crime prevention officer. Michelle Garden, the NAG chairperson, will look into acquiring some to hand out at the next meeting in addition to other crime prevention advice material. Inspector Konsek also informed the group of a theatre company that tour the area, informing the elderly by way of theatre productions as to the dangers of bogus callers.
General Crime – Comments were once again raised about the possibility of erecting a CCTV to watch over the park area. Inspector Konsek responded by saying that this particular area of Mansfield does not suffer the same level of crime as other areas.

He encouraged all residents to be vigilante. 40% of all burglaries to homes occur through the perpetrator gaining access via an unlocked door or open window. Residents were informed that simply locking doors and windows could prevent many crimes and in relation to car crimes, remove all valuables from within the car and ensure all doors and windows are secured.

Ian Lilliman asked about the possibility of obtaining the local crime figures, so that the local residents could be made aware of the significant problem we have in the renewal area. Inspector Konsek responded by saying that it is easy to manipulate figures so as to give an unfavourable impression of crime levels and therefore crime level figures would not be made available.

Drug Problem – When the residents brought up the subject of drugs, Inspector Konsek stated that they are aware of the drug problems in the Titchfield ward and this is an issue they are deeply concerned about, as much of the crime is connected to drug-related activities. Residents are advised to contact the Police on 01623 420999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they have any information regarding this matter.

Untaxed Vehicles – a number of vehicles without current road tax have been identified in the neighbourhood. These have been logged and will be passed to Paul Chad at the Traffic warden’s department.

One Way Street…Two Way Traffic – a number of vehicles have also taken to travelling in the wrong direction on Montague St/Bolsover St. Both Peter Thom and Inspector Konsek commented that it would be impractical to enforce the one-way system and there will always be a minority of drivers who, residing at the end of the streets, will be reluctant to drive all the way around the one-way system when they can drive just a few yards in the other to access Skerry Hill.

Problems with contacting police – Several residents complained about the poor response to the Police’s 420999-telephone number, which is the only number that can be dialled for non-emergencies. Inspector Konsek commented on the huge number of calls they receive, particularly with the growth in mobile phone use. He also said that they were working on the problem and funding has been allocated to acquire new equipment and train additional staff, which should all come online in the near future.

5.4. Jackson’s Field – an update on the park was unavailable and so this will be brought up at the next meeting. Several residents voiced concerns over the height and construction of the perimeter fencing planned for the park. It was suggested that Anthony Hodge and a member of Groundwork (the organisation responsible for the park renewal) should be invited to the next meeting. Residents are also curious about what type of lighting/bushes/statues, etc are planned

6. Any Other Business

6.1. Mill Street/Rock Hill Footpath - It was reported to the group that the path from Mill Street to Rock Hill has a number of broken slabs and there is significant graffiti.

6.2. NAG Website – Ian Lilliman has taken up the challenge of a NAG community website. It is still under construction but is online and can be found at www.the-nag.org.uk. The site will keep you up to date with all the latest news and includes a forum where you can voice your opinions or grievances. In addition, if you cannot make it to all the meetings, the minutes of previous meetings are available on the website.

6.3. History of Jackson’s Field – A local resident at the meeting commented that some years ago he wrote an article describing the history of the field, which was published in the Chad newspaper. He will dig out the article and make it available to attach to the next minutes and to put on the website.

6.4. Newgate Lane Bollards – At the last meeting, several residents mentioned that drivers were complaining that the bollards, adjacent to the traffic calming ramps, were hard to see at night. Peter Thom told the group that reflective tape had already been added to the bollards.

6.5. Quality Street – Barbara asked the group if they know the owners of 74/76/92 and 163 Newgate Lane. If anyone has information, can they contact Barbara.

6.6. Low Cost Computers – At a future meeting, Paul Webster from EnProve IT - based on Botany Avenue, Mansfield - will be invited to talk about the provision of low cost computers for voluntary groups. Enprove IT are supported by Groundwork Ashfield & Mansfield (who are also responsible for the Jackson’s Park improvements).

Enprove IT supply a range of refurbished computers and peripherals with prices starting from as low as £100 with an Internet Ready PC costing just £170.

The meeting closed at 7.50 pm.

Date and time of next meeting:
6.30 pm Tuesday 16^th October at 110 Newgate Lane

Michele Garden (Chairperson) Newgate Action Group 40 Bentinck Street, Mansfield, NG18 2QQ Tel. 01623 479038

Michele Garden
(Chairperson) Newgate Action Group
40 Bentinck Street, Mansfield, NG18 2QQ Tel. 01623 479038